<p>I need help thinking about my future. I could really use some suggestions. When visiting colleges, I was visiting based upon the fact that I was applying Chemical Engineering. Then I applied to colleges as a Finance major. Once accepted, I transferred to be a Math and Econ major. I'm interested in SO many subjects, especially Chemistry, Finance, Mathematics, and Economics. But I can't imagine myself being stuck in a lab all day, or having the purpose of my job just being to accrue value on assets, or having to work at some random job because I can't find anything in the field I'm majoring in. I wish I could just learn for a living. I want to do something that involves me talking with smart people. I've always considered being a college professor, working in an environment where there is constant learning, and you get to interact with brilliant college minds who actually want to learn, while doing private research. But, to be blunt, I grew up in a somewhat affluent family. And not only do they have an expectation that my college career will yield a high paying job, but I am also afraid of not having money. I'm afraid of how my life would change without money. I've also considered law. But I hear the job markets for professors and lawyer incredibly horrible, especially when considering the amount of education both professions require. And not to mention, their salaries aren't that impressive either. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Nearly all jobs have good and bad aspects, some hard work, some boredom. It would be good if you could shadow some folks and/or volunteer to help and/or do informational interviews of folks who are in professions you think you really might want.</p>
<p>One thing that helped our S was knowing that if he had ANY interest in engineering, it would be good to start in it because generally it’s easier to transfer out without staying in school longer than trying to transfer IN to engineering.</p>
<p>Figure out what you really enjoy & try to find a profession that will allow you to do as much of it as possible & hopefully the money will be there.</p>
<p>FWIW, jobs aren’t always what folks expect. Our S graduated in EE & hoped to practice it. He has been made a project manager, which means he supervises & makes sure contractors meet deadlines. He’s good at it but wishes he could do the actual engineering he was trained to do in college!</p>
<p>Many jobs out of college with only a bachelor’s degree are NOT high paying, no matter what your BA/BS is in. If you want to do research and/or teaching in a college level, you will likely need masters and probably even a PhD.</p>